Stepping Outside of Your Comfort Zone

One of the main reasons so many of us don’t step outside of our comfort zone is fear. Fear of failure, fear of being rejected, fear of not being enough and even fear of success; if I’m successful can I handle it? Remember this though – everyone else experiences fear too. Even the ones who appear to have it all are afraid of losing it all. Like their wealth, money or material possessions – or are afraid of getting old and hold on to their youth, until their health decides otherwise.

Fear maybe holding you back from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Like changing career, going for that job promotion, starting your own business or it could be just going to the gym or taking that exercise class for the first time.

You may experience fear based emotions like anxiety, worrying and self-doubt. But you know what is worse? Regret. Not following your dreams and doing all the things that you most want to do. This can lead to feeling like you are living an unfulfilled life – existing instead of living – same old shit just a different day!

“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.” – Les Brown

I know from personal experience that the thing I fear doing most, is usually the thing that I most need to do.

For example, here are some of my fears I have had to overcome and some of my internal dialogue at the time —

Training to be a life coach – What if I fail the course? What will other people think?

My first coaching client – What if I can’t help her? What if everything I have learned doesn’t work?

Public Speaking – What if I freeze on stage? What if I forget my words? What if they can see how nervous I am?

Of course, most of this never happened.

My training course to become a Life Coach turned out to be one of the best experiences I have ever had. I have helped people overcome anxiety, depression, panic attacks, addiction and low self-esteem. Helping and guiding them to live the life they are most capable of. I now help children as young as 8 years old overcome the same things that many adults are struggling to deal with. I don’t say this to boast, I share it with you because if I had given into my fears and just lived inside of my comfort zone, all of this would have remained inside of me as hopes, dreams and ideas. Leaving me unfulfilled and living a life of regret and mediocrity. More importantly, I would never have had the opportunity to help all those I have worked with.

My first coaching client suffered from anxiety and panic attacks while going to the Supermarket. The following day after her session she visited the Supermarket – completely free from her anxiety!

My public speaking is still a work in progress, I did freeze on stage, I did forget my words but just got on with it and received more positive feedback than I could have ever imagined. It is, becoming easier every time I stand on stage. The sweating and shaking is now gone. The nerves are still there but I know this too will pass with time.

Limiting Beliefs

We all have different beliefs; one person’s political or religious beliefs will be different from the next persons. Some beliefs work for us and some don’t. One person may believe they can achieve anything and the next may belief they are a failure. Are they facts or truths?? No, they are just beliefs. A fact can be proved true. For example, it is a fact that Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. I know the sun rises every morning and sets every evening. Fact and truth.

I’m sure you have heard of the saying; if you believe you can, or if you believe you can’t then you are most probably right!

If you believe you won’t win that job promotion, or you believe you can’t progress further in your career, well chances are you won’t.

Beliefs are very powerful and influence how our lives play out. They are like a lens we look through and filter many of the decisions we make every day.

Most of our beliefs are deep routed in our unconscious mind. Trying to change them consciously can be a bit like trying to shift a boulder with a tooth pick!

Limiting Beliefs can be changed – Ask yourself; is this belief I have the truth? Is it limiting me from where I want to be? Can I change it? Is it limiting me from showing up each day as the best version of myself?

We all feel discomfort when stepping outside of our comfort zones, but anxiety and panic attacks do not need to be part of it – changing fear based emotions and limiting beliefs is often the quickest and easiest things that we can learn to overcome.

During a session, I help change any fears or limiting beliefs that are holding you back – AND teach you the skills and techniques that I use, so it’s something you will always have. Helping you to be prepared for whatever life may throw at you.

For more information on how I can help please contact me at the following: